PhrasesHub

My cup of tea

    Definitions

      • preference or liking
        Refer to something that one particularly enjoys or is interested in

      • suitability
        Refer to something that is well suited to one's abilities or tastes

    Examples of My cup of tea

    • I'm not really into horror movies. Watching a group of strangers getting murdered one by one is not my cup of tea.

      This idiom refers to something that is not liked or enjoyed by a person. It implies that the person's preference is for a comforting and enjoyable experience, which is similar to sipping a warm cup of tea. In this example, the use of "my cup of tea" in the negative form highlights that watching horror movies is not a pleasurable experience for the speaker.

    • I'm afraid public speaking is not your cup of tea. You seem nervous and uncomfortable up there.

      This idiom is being used as a way to say that the person in question doesn't enjoy or excel at public speaking. By comparing public speaking to an unfamiliar or unpleasant experience, this idiom implies that it's not something that is enjoyed or sought after. This example illustrates how the idiom can be used to convey information about someone else's preferences and abilities.

    • Spending hours at the gym every day is not my cup of tea, but I want to get healthier, so I'm starting with small changes to my routine.

      This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used in the context of personal preferences and goals. The speaker is highlighting that they don't enjoy spending a lot of time exercising, but they recognize the importance of overall health and wellness. This shows how the idiom can be adapted to convey specific aspects of a person's character or beliefs.

    • Sorry, but I'm not a big fan of seafood. Eating raw fish is not my cup of tea.

      This example provides another illustration of how the idiom can be used to convey personal preferences. By explaining that eating raw fish is not a pleasurable experience for the speaker, this example highlights how this idiom can be used to signal dislike or distaste for a particular activity or food. It also demonstrates how the idiom can be used to explain why someone might decline an invitation or opportunity related to the activity or food being referred to.

    • The manager's dry and technical presentations are not my cup of tea.

      This idiom means that the speaker does not enjoy or prefer the manager's style of presenting information, which tends to be dry and lacking in excitement, just as the speaker might not enjoy drinking a cup of plain tea without any milk or sugar.

    • I prefer listening to classical music instead of loud and fast-paced rock songs. It's more my cup of tea.

      Here, the speaker is saying that they have a preference for classical music over fast-paced rock music. They are comparing classical music to a cup of tea, implying that it is something they enjoy and find pleasurable, just as they might enjoy a well-made cup of tea with its own unique flavor.

    • The team building activities were not to everyone's taste, but hiking in the mountains was more everyone's cup of tea.

      This idiom shows that the hiking activity was more enjoyable and preferred by everyone compared to the team-building activities, just as everyone might prefer a specific type of tea over others.

    • I'm not interested in collecting stamps as a hobby. But, gardening and photography are more my cup of tea.

      The speaker is comparing their interest in gardening and photography to enjoying a good cup of tea, implying that they find these hobbies delightful and pleasurable just as they might enjoy a perfectly brewed tea.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "my cup of tea" is commonly used to express one's preference or liking for something. It can also be used to indicate that something is well suited to one's abilities or tastes. For example, "I'm not really into sports, but gardening is my cup of tea" expresses a liking for gardening, while "I'm not sure if I can handle the workload, but teaching is my cup of tea" indicates suitability for the job.

    Origin of "My cup of tea"

    The origin of the idiom "my cup of tea" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the early 20th century in Britain. The phrase likely stems from the comforting and personalized nature of a cup of tea, which is a common symbol of relaxation and enjoyment in British culture. The idiom has since become widely used in the English language to express personal preference and suitability.